Almost anytime I engage in a conversation about 2016 presidential prospects, the first thing that gets brought up is the shortcomings of the potential candidates: Chris Christie’s “Bridgegate,” Rand Paul’s perceived isolationism, Hillary Clinton’s “Benghazi,” and Marco Rubio’s immigration vote. Republicans openly fret about the fact that they don’t have a candidate with the experience and political heft of Clinton. Meanwhile, Democrats worry that Clinton will be easily labeled as a candidate of the past.

While there is not yet a front-runner in the early race for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) is quickly becoming the favored contender of social conservatives, riding a recent wave of fiery speeches and standing ovations at right-wing conferences.

Hillary Clinton’s campaign-in-waiting has a priceless asset, a super weapon strong enough to strike fear in her most determined rival. It also has a dangerous liability, a burden able to drag her into dead ends and drive her to distraction. It’s Clinton’s peculiar fate that both just happen to be her husband.

Hillary Clinton opened her remarks at the 37th annual Harkin Steak Fry by talking about the imminent arrival of her daughter’s first child and her possible presidential campaign. It was hard to tell which was more pregnant.

Is the former Secretary of State planning a run for the 2016 presidential election? Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton made speeches in The Hawkeye State over the weekend to rally Democrats to vote in the upcoming November elections, reports CNBC's John Harwood.

Shortly after Robin’s shocking death at age 54, her husband and her alma mater realized that there were journalism prizes that honored investigative reporting, wartime bravado and presidential and congressional coverage – but none that prized the kind of smart political reporting at which Robin excelled. The Robin Toner Prize now fills that void. Happily, this year’s recipient was Dan Balz, the chief correspondent for The Washington Post.

Gwen Ifill is moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week" and co-anchor and managing editor of the "PBS NewsHour." The best-selling author of "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," Gwen has covered seven presidential campaigns and moderated two vice presidential debates.